Honda Revives Its Legendary Motocompo
This page is translated from the original post "Honda ressuscite sa légendaire Motocompo" in French.
- 14/09/2023 16:15
40 years ago, Honda innovated with a small foldable motorcycle that could be stored in the trunk of a car. Today, it comes back as the electric “Motocompacto”.
In 2023, it’s not surprising to place an electric scooter in the trunk of a Tesla Model 3 or MG4 to cover the last miles in cities where cars are forbidden. But in 1981, offering a foldable motorcycle as an option in a Honda City was quite visionary. That’s what makes the initiative taken by Honda so interesting, and the fact that this strange machine’s story has survived two decades without too many wrinkles.
From Motocompo to Motocompacto
Unfortunately, the small 50 cc two-wheeler occupied all available space in the trunk, and drivers quickly grew tired of the gasoline fumes emitted by the machine and the tire tracks inside the car. With 50,000 units sold in 2 years, it was a commercial flop but a good spotlight on the small City hatchback that was intended to host the Motocompo. The effort helped open the debate about the role of two-wheelers in urban environments, as a substitute and especially as a complement to cars.
Motocompacto adopts the philosophy of its predecessor but with 100% modern electric technology. Once folded, the whole unit fits into a box measuring 75 cm long, 54 cm wide, and 10 cm thick, and weighs only 19 kilograms, like a decent electric scooter. When folded, a handle allows you to roll it like a monorail wheel.
Honda plays with style
The machine can reach speeds of up to 25 km/h, but don’t expect to go more than 20 km on a single charge. On the positive side, there’s a storage space for the charger, so once you’ll need only a power outlet and about 3.5 hours to recharge and set off for new adventures.
Far from the innovative Motocompo, this is ultimately just a scooter with a seat and footrests concealed inside a suitcase. While its performance won’t leave a significant mark on the history of urban mobility, its striking look is sure to turn many heads.
READ ALSO > Honda unveils an electric Dax… with pedals!
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